James Parakilas settles at the piano. He begins to play. The notes, composed about 180 years ago, not been played — or heard — by anyone since.

Hearing the music, too, is English professor Lillian Nayder. She rediscovered the music in the archives of Britain’s Royal Academy of Music while researching the life of the composer, Fanny Dickens, elder sister of Charles.

Parakilas, the Moody Family Professor of Performing Arts, transcribed the music for piano and brought it back to life.

Parakilas plays on: an anthem for four voices in F major, a single chant in D minor and a canon in F major. None takes longer than one minute to perform. “Fanny’s timing and use of intervals in these pieces is quite sophisticated, and she handles multiple voices in different ranges quite well,” Parakilas tells Nayder.

Today, the pieces are as forgotten as their composer.

Nayder is the author of The Other Dickens: A Life of Catherine Hogarth, a look at Charles’ poor treatment of his estranged wife (Fall 2011 Bates Magazine). She is now turning to other women in Dickens’ life, as she drafts a historical novel that examines the complex relations among his sisters and sisters-in-law.

As Nayder listens to Parakilas play, she envisions a young woman with considerable musical talent, with her own strong power of expression. She is getting to know her a little better.

A Great IDea

Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College.

Five former John Kelsey students flash their Bates pedigree — in the form of their Bates student IDs — at a May 19, 2012, event honoring John Kelsey’s retirement as psychology professor and chair of the neuroscience program. The 2010 grads honoring Kelsey are, from left, Rebecca Lange, Lauren Shapiro, Tom Berry, Alexia Zhang and John Bladon.

Academics Facts

“Stimulus from association with a superior mind” is the founding mission of Bates honors program.

Honoring John Cole

Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College.

John Cole, the Reynolds Professor of History, and daughter Elizabeth acknowledge warm applause at the surprise April 27 reception honoring the conclusion of his teaching career after 45 years on the Bates faculty.

Six Professorships Appointed

And a few words about the Bates names behind the endowed chairs recently assumed by senior Bates professors.

Marcus Bruce ’77

Marcus Bruce ’77: Benjamin E. Mays Professor of Religious Studies

Mays ’20 is considered the “schoolmaster of the civil rights movement.” Established by trustee emeritus James Orr P’94.

Jane Costlow

Jane Costlow: Clark A. Griffith Professor of Environmental Studies

Griffith ’53 is a Massachusetts cranberry farmer with the Ocean Spray cooperative.